【原文】

子曰：〝先進于禮樂，野人也；後進于禮樂，君子也。如用之，則吾從先進。〞

【參考譯文】

孔子說：〝先學習禮和樂然後做官的，是沒有世襲特權的一般讀書人；先做官再學習禮和樂的，是有世襲特權的卿大夫子弟。如果要我選用人才我就選用前者。〞

【English Translation】

Confucius said: "Those who learned the rites and music before becoming an official, were from humble families. Those who learned the rites and music after they became officials are from noble families. If I were to choose talents, I would pick those who come form the former. "

【原文】

子曰：〝民可使由之，不可使知之。〞

【參考譯文】

孔子說：〝對於老百姓，可以使他們照著規定的道路走，不必讓他們知道那是為什麼。〞

【English Translation】

Confucius said: "The people can be directed to live according to the regulations but they cannot be directed to understand the reasons behind the regulations. "

【原文】

季路問事鬼神。子曰：〝未能事人，焉能事鬼！〞曰：〝敢問死。〞曰：〝未知生，焉知死。〞

【參考譯文】

季路向老師詢問事奉鬼神的方法。孔子說：〝人還沒事奉好，怎能事奉鬼神？〞季路又問：〝請問怎樣看待死？〞孔子說：〝還沒瞭解生，怎麼瞭解死？〞

【English Translation】

Ji Lu asked about the ghosts and the spirits. Confucius answered: "How can one serve the spirits when one has not learned to serve the people? "

                Ji Lu continued to ask: "Forgive my impudence, but what is death? "

                Confucius answered: "If one cannot understand life, how could one understand death? "